Salaries for Pentagon staffers working on diversity, equity and inclusion would be CAPPED at $31,000 a year under new bill proposed by Republicans

Republicans want to cap salaries of Department of Defense staff working on diversity and inclusion at $31,000.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Rep. Jim Banks (R-Indiana) said on Wednesday they planned to introduce legislation that would limit staffers working on the issues to more junior grades.

It is the latest push by Republicans to rein in what they see as a ‘woke’ agenda undermining the fighting prowess of American armed forces. 

‘The DoD is paying anti-American bureaucrats more than patriotic servicemembers,’ said Banks in a tweet. 

‘That sends a dangerous message to troops about the Pentagon’s priorities and values.’

Rep. Jim Banks, R-Indiana (left) and Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas (right) said Wednesday they planned to introduce legislation that would limit Pentagon staff working on diversity and equity to junior grades

Last year, the  Pentagon unveiled a defense advisory committee on diversity and inclusion, followed by a 37-page brochure on how it would improve ‘equal opportunity’

Last year, the Pentagon unveiled a defense advisory committee on diversity and inclusion to formulate recommendations on improving ‘diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity’ with the department.

It was followed by a 37-page brochure setting out how it would achieve that plan.  

‘DoD needs diverse perspectives, experiences, and skillsets to remain a global leader, to deter war, and to keep our nation secure,’ said Gilbert R. Cisneros, under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, in a foreword. 

‘Leveraging this strategic diversity and expanding access to attract, retain, and advance the best talent our nation has to offer are the only way DoD will be able to outthink, outmaneuver, and outfight any adversary or threat.’

But critics see yet another diversion from the Pentagon’s main aim of warfighting. 

Cotton told Fox News Digital, which was first to report the bill, that the legislation ‘will make sure the Department of Defense’s budget focuses on strengthening our national security, not paying administrators to solve social justice problems that don’t exist.’

He said legislation would prohibit the Pentagon from employing DEI officials above the E-5 rank, which carries a salary of $31,000 per year. 

Anyone currently making more than that would have to be reassigned within 180 days of the law coming into force, according to the terms.

Republicans have accused the Biden administration of undermining U.S. warfighting abilities by promoting elements of critical race theory, and introducing diversity initiatives

‘Government bureaucrats promoting divisive ideology should not earn a higher paycheck than the soldiers on the front lines defending our country,’ the senator said. 

Republicans have frequently criticized diversity recruitment campaigns run by the armed forces.

However, with Democrats in control of the Senate the ‘DEI Pay Cap Act of 2023’ is unlikely to become law.

Cotton, along with Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas, was behind a 2021 plan to keep ‘woke ideology’ from U.S. armed forces. 

They shared a ‘whistleblower’ form for military members to fill out should they encounter any far-left training materials.

‘Enough is enough. We won’t let our military fall to woke ideology. We have just launched a whistleblower webpage where you can submit your story. Your complaint will be legally protected, and go to my office and @SenTomCotton’,’ Crenshaw tweeted.

‘For too long, progressive Pentagon staffers have been calling the shots for our warfighters, and spineless military commanders have let it happen. Now we are going to expose you.’

The campaign comes just two weeks after ex-Space Force Commander, Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier, claimed the Pentagon had sent servicemembers a video saying that ‘whites are inherently evil’.